(CNN) -- After a nerve-jangling four days, Arsenal can breathe a little easier.

A 3-1 win over West Ham United on Tuesday saw Arsene Wenger's team climb back into the English Premier League's top four, keeping the Gunners in contention to qualify for the lucrative European Champions League.

Two goals from Germany's Lukas Podolski and a 20th of the season from Frenchman Olivier Giroud saw Arsenal leapfrog Everton in the table, after Matt Jarvis had given West Ham a shock lead in the first half.

Liverpool players acknowledge a minute's silence for the Hillsborough victims on the 25th anniversary of the stadium tragedy before Sunday's 3-2 win over English Premier League title rivals Manchester City.

Fans in the Kop stand at Anfield wave banners in memory of the 96 victims of the 1989 disaster, which happened when supporters were crushed during Liverpool's FA Cup semifinal against Nottingham Forest.

A young fan stands next to floral tributes laid in memory of the victims ahead of the Liverpool-Manchester City game at Anfield.

The Hillsborough Justice Campaign was set up to support those affected by the disaster, including the families of the victims and the survivors.

A new inquest into the tragedy started on March 31, 2014. Donna Miller (right), whose brother Paul Carlile died at Hillsborough, walks next to Mary Corrigan (center), whose son Keith McGrath was also killed, as they arrive to attend the opening day.

The names of the 96 victims are listed on a memorial outside Liverpool's Anfield stadium.

A poster protesting about the way in which Liverpool fans were blamed for the Hillsborough disaster is displayed outside Anfield in 2012. The club's supporters boycotted "The Sun" newspaper due to its coverage of the deaths.

Two wins in quick succession have boosted Arsenal's hopes of reaching the Champions League for 17th consecutive season, while also keeping alive their chances of lifting silverware for the first time in nine years and relieving some of the pressure on beleaguered manager Wenger.

"I think we built the victory tonight through consistency in our game, the vital part was to come back just before half time and in the second half we controlled the game well," Wenger, who has been at Arsenal since 1996, told Sky.

Everton climbed above Arsenal at the weekend, and it looked as if the north London club would lose further ground in the battle for fourth place when West Ham took the lead on 39 minutes through one-time England winger Matt Jarvis.

With Arsenal fans fearing a chastening defeat, the home team responded. Just five minutes later, Spain's Santi Cazorla expertly picked out Podolski, who turned inside the penalty area and fired a fierce low drive beyond West Ham goalkeeper Adrian.

Ten minutes into the second half, Arsenal hit the front when Giroud showed sublime touch to control Thomas Vermaelen's lofted pass before converting with aplomb.

Podolski put the seal on a much-needed result when he lashed home on 78 minutes following a header from substitute Aaron Ramsey, who was making his first Premier League appearance after a lengthy injury layoff.

The win move Arsenal onto 67 points with five matches left to play, one point clear of Everton who have a game in hand on their rivals.

Arsenal's next match is on Sunday at Hull City, who they will play in the FA Cup final on May 17.

"After the FA Cup it was important we switched on to the Premier League," said two-goal hero Podolski.

"Everyone wants to play in the Champions League because the matches are amazing and important for the club.

"There are hard matches to come, we must win all of our matches and then I think we will qualify.

"The most important thing tonight was to win. We focus now on the next game."